Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-21

An Interesting Problem Discussed by a
French Na.uralist-Not New Idea.
Some Very Interesting Cases-The Next
Question.
Can monkeys he domest i,,ated and made as
useful TO man as the horss, the OK and the ass
are useful, but in q different way. Such is
the interesting problem discussed in book
just issued here by NJ. Victor Meunier, who
has made a study of these curious specimens
of the animal kingdom.
And this problem, according TO the author,
will in time receive successful solution.
Mankind will in the future draw from the
ranks of the Simian tribes servants skillful
enough TO perform tasks now only discharged
by reasoning-l had almost said reasonable
-beings-tasks that require only strength Of
muscle, skill of hand and ordinary intelli-
gence.
But NJ. Meunier draws very distinct limo
between the higher and lower orders of the
monkey race. Among the latter he places the
Barbary ape, the pouched, the striated and
other varieties; among tho former the CHM
panzee, the gorilla, the orang- -outang and the
'gibbon," or long armed species. And it is
only from among the last named that the SER
wants of the future will be recruited.
NOT BAD IDEA
Nor is the idea of Simian domestics new
one Button, in the last century, staked his
great reputation as naturalist on the follow
ing statement:
II have seen chimpanzee that always
walked on two legs, even when carrying
heavy burdens A word or sign was sufh
cient to make him obey, and his temper was
eluable and gentle. have seen him offer his
hand to lead out those who had been calling
on his master and walk with them like a com
panion. l have seen him take his seat ii
table, unfold his napkin, wipe his lips, use O
spoon and fork, pour out glass of wine and
pledge Il health when invited l have seen
him take cup and saucer, place it on the
table, pour out tea, put sugar in it, let it set
cool before drinking, and all without Other
instigation than the signs or words of his
| master.
"He never injured any one, but always ap
preached you carefully, and as if wishing tc
be petted. He was prodigiously fond of can
dies, everybody fed him with them, and as he
had cough and his lungs were affected, it is
supposed that the indulgence Of this appetite
| shortened his life He only lived one summer
in Paris and died the following winter in
London"
Another learned savant, Camille Flam
marion, points out that all the chimpanzees
that have been brought to Europe have beer
similarly docile. One that had been brought
to the geological garden in Antwerp was
taken into the family of the superintendent
He showed affection for his masters children
shared their games, went with them into the
garden, picked cherries for them, dragged
them about in little carriage and even some
times dined with them, when he would empty 6
glass of champagne to the health of the com
pany.
| a TRAINED FEMALE MONKEY.
A female monkey, described by Capt
| Grandperret, had been trained while on {
voyage to America to heat the oven, and per
| formed her duties to the satisfaction of al
| concerned. She was careful not to let tht
burning Goals tumble out on the deck, anC
| was evidently pleased when the proper degre'
| of heat was obtained She would then e
and inform the baker. But this was not hel
| only speciality, or, to speak more correctly
ohO iifAei io DdC tOulu bul Ii bCl
hand q to all and any of the ordinary EN-
| plOyments Of the sailor, such as weighing an
| chor, taking in sail and making everything
taut, and not only this, but what she did wa
so well done that the Jack Tars came to re
| gard her as quite one of themselves
At Loango chimpanzee was trained to 6,
for water to the river and wood to the forest
| sweep the room, make the beds, turn the spit
etc. Having fallen sick bleeding set him OF
his feet again. Nor did he forget wha
cured him, for being again attacked yea
afterwards, and seeing the doctor come int.
the room, he held out his arm that the process
might be repeated.
An explorer, n. Poussielque, travelling il
Florida, was one day entertained at Sal
Geronimo by Gen. Llorente The latte
several times referred to his servant Antonio
and striking bell Antonio appeared H
was monkey about four feet in height
dressed in white trousers and a red vest AM
wearing a cap. At signal from his maste
he stuck napkin under his arm and laid tn
table. "And," adds NJ. Poussielque, 'h
waited on US, doing everything himself, NOR
rapidly than four negro servants woul
| have done it." Antonio was IL years old
having been born in the Gaboon and brough
to Florida by the negro who had educate
him.
The question then recurs, can the monke
be domesticated and made suhservient t
man, as the dog, the horse, the OK has bee
made subservient, The dog has been traine
to hunt and be faithful guardian of man
interests; the OK has been taught to dra
heavy loads, but the intelligence of the ap
far surpasses any of the so called domesti
animals, in that he alone has hand and ca
become workman.-Paris Cor. New Yor
Graphic.
The New Invasion.
The new invasion Of the south continue!
and not q daY passes without q Marty c